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BASEBALL; Harris Sets Record in the Mets' Victory

Every now and then, Mike Piazza will spot Lenny Harris before a game and ask if he's going to get a hit that day.

''It kind of motivates you a little bit,'' Harris said, ''and it kind of gets you mad a little bit, because I wish I was out there playing with him, too.''

Harris has called pinch-hitting a boring job because so little time is spent on the field. While others play, Harris flexes his legs, hits off a tee, cajoles teammates and hopes for a chance. Last night -- at last -- he was rewarded for the drudgery.

With a sharp single in the sixth inning of the Mets' 4-0 victory over the Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium, Harris became the career leader in pinch hits with 151, passing Manny Mota.

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Harris lined a change-up past the glove of the diving second baseman, Geoff Blum, and he raised his arms and pointed to the sky after arriving at first base. Piazza led the charge of players to first base, and the Mets' bullpen also emptied to greet Harris. Players pounded his helmet as the song ''Simply the Best'' played over the speakers.

The hit came off Carl Pavano, the same pitcher who three years ago surrendered Mark McGwire's 70th home run, a record eclipsed Friday by Barry Bonds.

''A lot of milestones are being achieved this year,'' Piazza said, ''but this is definitely one of the most significant.''

Harris's hit concluded a lengthy pursuit. By appearing in his 95th game as a pinch-hitter this season, he broke Rusty Staub's major league record set with the Mets in 1983.

The Hall of Fame has already asked the Mets for the ball, though Harris might want to keep it.

''I don't think I can catch a cab all the way up to Cooperstown to see it,'' he said.

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A version of this article appears in print on October 7, 2001, on Page 8008004 of the National edition with the headline: BASEBALL; Harris Sets Record in the Mets' Victory. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe